Show of strength (From Worcester News)

Show of strength

12:17pm Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Reports

Harriers 1
York 1

YOUNG guns James McQuilkin and Anthony Malbon came off the bench to prove there’s no substitute for strength in depth, as they inspired Harriers to come from behind and earn a well-deserved point against their play-off rivals on Tuesday night.

The youthful duo were thrown into the fray after York had plundered an opening goal and threatened to steal all three points, in a high-qualty clash between two of the most eye-catching teams in the Blue Square Bet Premier top five.

Harriers had had the best of the game but had found City keeper Michael Ingham in unbeatable form, until on-loan Hereford man McQuilkin’s stunning free-kick ensured it was honours even.

The two January new additions illustrate the attacking options manager Steve Burr has at his disposal.

The manager had started with an attack-minded side which boasted Nick Wright and Jamille Matt, who have scored a host of goals between them, backed up by the lively Dan Bradley, Kyle Storer and Dave Hankin.

With veteran goal-poacher Steve Guinan left on the bench, Welsh hitman Marc Williams not even in the 16-man squad and the likes of Jack Byrne, Lee Vaughan and James Vincent injured, the signs are strong Harriers have the squad go the distance in the race for promotion.

Afterwards, Burr was even disappointed Harriers hadn’t recorded a league double over the Minstermen and had only taken four points.

He said: “I would have taken four points from the York games at the start of the season but on the evidence of the match we thoroughly deserved to win but Ingham has had a fantastic game.

“When they went ahead, that was their first attempt on goal. We’re a bit disappointed we didn’t put a challenge in but we kept going as we have done all season, got back into the game and were perhaps a bit unlucky not to get three points.”

Harriers had edged the first-half, with Wright seeing a shot blocked on the line by Smith, while Matt nearly found the breakthrough when he showed good control to create space only for York’s busy keeper to block his effort.

York’s best effort had came when an Adriano Moke cross had deflected off Mike Williams and keeper Tony Breeden produced a Gordon Banks-esque save to scoop the ball off the line.

But Harriers paid the price for a brief lull in intensity in the second-half when in the 57th minute Smith met Jon Challinor’s cross and put York ahead with a firm far post header.

This only spurred the hosts to up their game and, Wright flashed a left-footed shot goalwards, only for the alert Ingham to beat it away.

The keeper produced more heroics to deny new signing Malbon, who made an impression on his home bow.

The 20-year-old was Wayne Rooney-esque with his power, pace and awareness and nearly produced a brilliant leveller.

Spotting Ingham off his line, he impudently flicked the ball over him but the shot-stopper somehow got a hand to it.

The leveller Harriers deserved came in the 85th minute after Kyle Storer had been fouled by Andre Boucaud and McQuilkin drove in a free-kick from 35-yards out which evaded every player in a packed box and flew into the bottom corner.

The winger, however, was booked late on for an altercation with Challinor but the York man was lucky to escape with a yellow after kicking Harriers’ young starlet in the stomach while he was on the ground.

Harriers: Breeden 7, Williams 7, Jones 7, Hankin 6 (Malbon 66), Wright 7, Sharpe 7, Matt 7, Demetriou 7, STORER 8, Bradley 6, Hendrie 6 (McQuilkin 71). Subs not used: Guinan, Gittings, Lyness.

York: Ingham, Meredith, Smith, Parslow, Reed (Blinkhorn 46), Kerr, Pilkington (Chambers 81), Blair, Moke, Challinor, McLaughlin. Subs not used: McGurk, Boucaud, Fyfield.

Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire).

Attendance: 2,417 (159).